Updated on April 22, 2022
Nanotechnology For Hair Loss Drugs: Follicle Pharma
This article will cover two new biotechnology companies utilizing nanotechnology or nanomedicine to create enhanced hair growth drugs or cures for gray hair.
Before I get right into the overview of the new companies, I would like to share a foreword as it has occurred to me that the time is right for it. This article will announce two new companies and essentially bring them into the greater public awareness as companies working on hair growth. In my previous article I also announced two new companies working on hair growth, and before that there were three other new companies announced since the start of this year — we’re only into April. It has become quite clear that the interest and activity in creating new hair growth treatments is at a level never seen before, not even five years ago. A critical mass can bedescribedas “an amount or level needed for a specific result or new action to occur.” It is my opinion that the hair-loss cure industry has reached that level now. A positive change is inevitable at this point.
Drug Delivery To The Hair Follicle
Follicle Pharma is a biotech startup based in Israel which is focused on hair follicle-targeted therapeutics. The company was founded by Dr. Doron Friedman and Eran Perry. Dr. Friedman’s website bio describes him as an investor and inventor, credited with 80 patents and many of them related to drug delivery systems. The Follicle Pharma website clearly projects a theme of utilizing a new type of drug delivery system to get active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) deeper into the structure of hair follicles and in a targeted/selective manner. For example, the website mentions “…the drug product applied topically reaches the follicle in a selective manner, but does not cross the skin significantly into the blood system.”This type of delivery system used by Follicle Pharma incorporatesnanotechnology, a science that is utilized in engineering, chemistry, electronics, and more.
Two product candidates are currently listed on Follicle Pharma’s website: FOL100, a drug for male pattern hair loss, and FOL500, a cosmetic product. There’s limited information available regarding progress or formula information at this time. Another notable takeaway from Follicle Pharma’swebsiteis the assemblance of a robust Scientific Advisory Board comprising Dr. Jerry Shapiro, Dr. Antonella Tosti, and Dr. Maria Hordinsky, all world class hair researchers. There are a few more tidbits present on the website which I will allow you all to peruse. I am certainly looking forward to more information being released by Follicle Pharma. For now I will say that it’s possible that their lead candidate drug is a specialized form of dutasteridedesignedto stay in the hair follicle. Finally, did you see their logo? I wonder if they’re up for a collaboration .
ProTransit Nanotherapy: Nanoparticle Delivery
Another company working with nanotechnology is ProTransit Nanotherapy of Omaha, Nebraska. There are currently three candidate products related to hair inProTransit’s pipeline: Hair regrowth compound A, Hair regrowth compound C, and an OTC product for Reversal/prevention of gray hair. While this sounds very compelling, I would mention that both of ProTransit’s drug candidates are highly likely to be drugs that we are familiar with, albeit enhanced with nanoparticles which create sustained release and/or have an affinity towards the hair follicle. For example, these compounds could be based around minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, or bimatoprost. We can see that the company is already creating skincare products involving superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes which may give a hint towards the composition of the OTC gray hair reversal product, it likely involvescatalase.
Thank you for reading and you’re invited to share your feedback about nanomedicine and hair growth in the comment section.
What do you think of nanotechnology combined with drugs like finasteride or dutasteride to improve outcomes and mitigate systemic exposure? What drugs would you like to see utilize this type of delivery? Pyrilutamide is an interesting prospect.
Thanks for the update OP. I share your optimistic perspective on the future. With so many entering this space it can only be a great thing.
I personally won’t touch drugs like minoxidil and finasteride. I’m not a fan of the potential unknowns and side effects, plus they’re very costly long term. I’m trying very hard to hold out for a proper solution, and use hair fibres to keep me from a permanent hat!
Thanks for the feedback, FK. I understand your perspective on fin and min. I’m looking forward to it all and particularly towards new drugs that also incorporate nanodelivery.
Finasteride and minox are very safe but get a very bad rep. They are the most researched hair loss drugs and are fda approved. Also, you can always get blood work done before you use finasteride. Also, you can use 0.25ng of fin first and move up from there.
Good to know they’re safe. You’ll forgive me for not trusting the FDA given their questionable history. But given their widespread usage I’m sure I’m just overly cautious
if you really think like this, than better forget about your hairs…..the solution you are searching for, never will exist…
Looking at that pipeline phase 3 trials are 4 years away so potentially 5 years + until approved and commercialized. My question is does the OTC grey hair reversal have to go through the 3 phase clinical trials or will it be faster? 2 very interesting companies!
Thanks Andy. The grey hair product is listed as an OTC and has a bar/arrow point which states “In market 2022-2023” on the graph. Although, it’s worth mentioning that I believe that is their forecast pending having the resources to develop it further, not a “solid” estimate just yet.
Thank you Admin for this new article.
Except Kintor, no other drug seems to be coming to the market in next 1/2 years
Thank you Admin for this new article and your work.
That is good to hear some new approaches on hairloss and greying. But on the other hand, for reversing our greying hair first of all we need some hair to be regenerated or cloned.
I am still waiting for Stemson and de Novo what they bring us in the future.
Thanks Devit and iL44 for your feedback. Hopefully all research plays a part in bringing new solutions that help people in different situations. Would love to hear some dNovo and Stemson news myself, but honestly I’m content with the flow of industry news. In a few months from now there’ll be even more; Kintor data in June, more new companies etc.
Good to see there might be some improvement in drug delivery for the hair follicles.
Wonder if them improving existing drugs might lead to quicker trials. One can hope anyway.
For fun, the list of new companies announced over this year are dNovo – siRNAgen – Dermaliq – Aranda Pharma – Life Code Ai – ProTransit Nanotherapy – Follicle Pharma.
Dnovo has to be the best one by far lol
Sure, but every shot counts. Just as a hypothetical: dNovo could take 7-12 years if they are successful with their technology. Dermaliq could have a version of bimatoprost with enhanced absorption out within 3/4 years, a drug to support existing regimens with no sexual side effects. Follicle Pharma could have an enhanced version of fin/dut out within 3/4 years which limits sides and improves efficacy. All three can be successful or all 3 may not be. You don’t know, that’s why every new shot is worthwhile. It’s sometimes a give/take when it comes to maximum potential and how long the development timeline is. Barring something like a Japan miracle, dNovo will definitely not be out within 4 years.
interesting.https://www.instagram.com/p/CcwRm1SN2qQ/here’s another hair system pic.
that link i sent above is probably the most realistic looking fake hairline i’ve seen so far its mind blowing.
你以前共享这些头发系统,re you planning on getting one or do you currently have one?
Hi FT! I think I’ll eventually decide to get a hair system. I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time but I’m not really sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on it do to mainly anxiety. I’ve tried to contact hairsay514 the guy posted in the link but I get no response I’ve tried others as well and will continue trying to reach out to them. I hope you don’t mind me posting the links FT lol it’s also fun showing you and everyone the creativity, realism and design of these wigs.
Sure I don’t mind you sharing the images woofy, especially since they are hair systems and everyone knows they do what they are supposed to do.
更新:我听说从卵泡制药和我2022世界杯附加赛预测t appears they will be sending some additional information within the next few weeks. They are also preparing for their first in man trial, after completing successful preclinical research.
Hi FT,
After your last comment about de Novo for timeline forecasts, i think everybody stops commenting. We must keep the hopes, i feel in near future we are gonna get a amazing news.
What do you think about Hairclone by Paul Kemp and furthermore about Replicel&Shsiedo,l?
They had very promising hipothesis.
I’m always going to do my best to keep it realistic while looking at the upside iL44. I’m always open to amazing news happening as well.
I would love to see HairClone offer DP cells to practitioners in the UK for injection yesterday, it does look like they continue to seek funding and have no imminent start date for this availability.
Shiseido is still doing their 2nd trial of RCH01 with multiple injections even with the dispute with Replicel. Not an ideal situation, but if they get good results they will likely be motivated to settle the dispute and begin marketing the treatment in Japan by the end of 2024.
你好管理员,
I am pretty sure you do always your best.
Thank you and appreciate so much.
That is a really bad situation for Replicel disputes with Shiseido.
Paul kemp has a bad reputation from intercytex that’s why is difficult to find any founding. Maybe Mr. Farjo can finance him
Do you happen to have an interview planned with Paul Kemp anytime soon?
Thanks
Matt, Unfortunately I do not. Hairclone seems to be on the same path that they have for the past 3 years. They had stated they planned to begin offering DP cells early this year, now that is looking like a “by the end of the year” estimate with no guarantees. Clearly, funding is their issue and I don’t believe there is much to talk about.
Ok thanks admin.
Losing faith in Hairclone now.
Stemson presentation, nothing new but here it is.https://vimeo.com/704156174/8c38f32097
YoYo, thanks much for sharing. It’s true there’s technically no new information, but I found it entertaining and informative to watch and see their ideas displayed visually.
I really hope that we get some groundbreaking news this year lol
hello admin!! I was looking at your updated progress chart for April, and it struck me that Stemson is even further away. It seems according to their latest communications that they are moving forward. Is it because of something special the delay of him in the table? thank you!!
Soul, good to hear from you. The “estimated” dates in the table are subject to change and basically the format I use is that whenever I need to update the chart, for example because a new company started a trial etc., I may update the timeline for other companies if they have not made tangible progress in the past year. Sometimes, the loudest and most obnoxious people are ones who would complain that estimates are too optimistic, I think you understand. I try to make the estimates conservative, yet realistic. With all of that being said, Stemson is aiming at a high goal, and if they release some big news this year or next, you could see that the estimated date range gets shorter. They are simply guidelines, not hard certainties.
hello admin, yes hehe I disappeared a bit from the answers, but I follow your great posts. I understand you perfectly your reasons. Thank you very much as always, I appreciate it and many more people in my country (Spain) also thank you. Cheers!!
Cheers to Spain, much appreciated.
Someone mentioned hair systems.
I guess hair systems and wigs are the only choices if you want the look of a full head of hair as all these scientists can’t regrow a full head of hair any time soon if ever.
They will do it someday Bill. Are you considering using a hair system?
Not considering a hair system.
They seem like a hassle and a ongoing expense.
Nothing can beat a full head of your own growing hair but that’s not happening for me anymore.
A full head of hair is supposed to grow for your lifetime instead of this baldy crap.
Sucks when I see old geezers who still have a thick full head of hair.
Admin
Taking into account that this technique will be one of the first treatment for baldness in the world
https://m.blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=moogene2&logNo=222718428536&navType=by
serum concentration is only 1 % of oral Dutasteride
• dermal delivery 20 times higher than oral dutasteride
• local scalp administration 1 – 2 times per week, done within 3 minutes
• commercialization in 2023
Thanks for sharing this Ahmed, I wonder how you came across this? The HUTERA treatment looks very interesting. If it is done in office, I wonder how it can be a once per week treatment. Perhaps it is much less frequent than that due to translation.
秃顶的终结吗?化学控制的生活and Death in Hair Follicles Identified
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·July 25, 2022
Summary: Researchers discovered how the TGF-beta protein controls the process by which hair follicles, including stem cells, divide and form new cells or orchestrate apoptosis. The findings could provide new treatment options for baldness and therapies to speed up wound healing.
Source: UCR
A single chemical is key to controlling when hair follicle cells divide, and when they die. This discovery could not only treat baldness, but ultimately speed wound healing because follicles are a source of stem cells.
Most cells in the human body have a specific form and function determined during embryonic development that does not change. For example, a blood cell cannot turn into a nerve cell, or vice versa. Stem cells, however, are like the blank tiles in a game of Scrabble; they can turn into other types of cells.
Their adaptability makes them useful for repairing damaged tissue or organs.
“In science fiction when characters heal quickly from injuries, the idea is that stem cells allowed it,” said UC Riverside mathematical biologist and study co-author Qixuan Wang.
“In real life, our new research gets us closer to understanding stem cell behavior, so that we can control it and promote wound healing,” Wang said. This research is detailed in a recent Biophysical Journal article.
The liver and stomach regenerate themselves in response to wounds. However, Wang’s team studied hair follicles because they’re the only organ in humans that regenerates automatically and periodically, even without injury.
The researchers determined how a type of protein, TGF-beta, controls the process by which cells in hair follicles, including stem cells, divide and form new cells, or orchestrate their own death — eventually leading to the death of the whole hair follicle.
This shows a bald man’s head
New research into factors that control the life and death of hair follicle cells could help people with baldness, as well as wound healing. Credit: Helpaeatcontu
“TGF-beta has two opposite roles. It helps activate some hair follicle cells to produce new life, and later, it helps orchestrate apoptosis, the process of cell death,” Wang said.
As with many chemicals, it is the amount that makes the difference. If the cell produces a certain quantity of TGF-beta, it activates cell division. Too much of it causes apoptosis.
No one is entirely sure why follicles kill themselves. Some hypotheses suggest it is an inherited trait from animals shedding fur to survive hot summer temperatures or trying to camouflage.
“Even when a hair follicle kills itself, it never kills its stem cell reservoir. When the surviving stem cells receive the signal to regenerate, they divide, make new cell and develop into a new follicle,” Wang said.
If scientists can determine more precisely the way TGF-beta activates cell division, and how the chemical communicates with other important genes, it might be possible to activate follicle stem cells and stimulate hair growth.
Because many animals, including humans, possess skin covered with hair, perfect wound healing would require regeneration of hair follicles. Being able to more precisely control levels of TGF-beta could also one day cure baldness, which bothers millions of people all over the world.
“Potentially our work could offer something to help people suffering from a variety of problems,” Wang said.
I wanted to leave the above research in case no one did before.